"The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist." (CCC1322)

"At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Parish." (CCC1323-24)

Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we are also nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

Before immediate preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, children must first have a foundational understanding of who God is and what He asks of His Church. Therefore, please review the list of requirements below.

• The child must be baptized in the Roman Catholic Rite or baptized in another Christian faith in accordance with the guidelines of the Roman Catholic Church. If a non-Catholic baptism meets the guidelines of the Roman Catholic Church, the child must make a Profession of Faith prior to receiving the sacraments.

• Consistent attendance in either Faith Formation or a Catholic school during both the previous year and the year of sacrament preparation is necessary to ensure a proper foundation for sacrament preparation. (Consistent attendance = attending at lest 70% of their classes).

• The earliest a child can begin preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is second grade.

• Children older than second grade who have not celebrated First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are expected to meet the preparation guidelines in order to enroll in preparation classes.

• Families should regularly attend Sunday Mass, preferably together.

• Attending a "Christian" school is not the same thing as attending a Catholic school for faith formation purposes.

• Archdiocesan guidelines state that children are to be prepared for First Reconciliation prior to, and in the same year as, First Eucharist.

• A child who has prepared for First Reconciliation is eligible for preparation for First Eucharist.

Sacrament Preparation is a wonderful and special time. St. Nicholas Parish is pleased and blessed to partner with the families and guide them through this process. The primary educators for the sacrament(s) are the parents. It is our expectation that children attend Mass on Sundays and follow the requirements.